U.S. patent application number 11/347452 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-05 for storage platform for storing and watering plants, and watering device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dipl.-Ing. Hermann Korte. Invention is credited to Hermann Korte, Rudolf Schomaker, Reinhold Trinczek.
Application Number | 20060218858 11/347452 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34707094 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060218858 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Korte; Hermann ; et
al. |
October 5, 2006 |
Storage platform for storing and watering plants, and watering
device
Abstract
A storage platform for storing, watering and transporting
plants, which is rectangular and has two mounting means on each of
two parallel narrow sides for hanging them in frame struts, where
each mounting means has an insertion end portion running along the
respective narrow side and ending freely in the direction of a
first long side; and a watering device with at least two storage
platforms arranged one on top of the other, with four vertical
frame struts disposed on narrow sides of the storage platforms and
provided with support recesses.
Inventors: |
Korte; Hermann; (Surwold,
DE) ; Schomaker; Rudolf; (Sogel, DE) ;
Trinczek; Reinhold; (Buchen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.;Fulbright Tower
Suite 5100
1301 McKinney
Houston
TX
77010-3095
US
|
Assignee: |
Dipl.-Ing. Hermann Korte
Surwold
DE
|
Family ID: |
34707094 |
Appl. No.: |
11/347452 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 40/25 20180101;
B62B 2205/006 20130101; B62B 2202/70 20130101; B62B 3/16 20130101;
A01G 9/143 20130101; B62B 3/002 20130101; Y02A 40/252 20180101;
A47B 2031/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
047/039 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/02 20060101
A47F007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2005 |
DE |
202005005087.3 |
Claims
1. A storage platform for storing, watering and transporting plants
comprising: a rectangular storage platform having and has two
mounting means on each of two parallel narrow sides for hanging
them in frame struts; wherein each mounting means has an insertion
end portion running along the respective narrow side and ending
freely in the direction of a first long side.
2. The storage platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein two
insertion end portions adjacent to the first long sides are
disposed in corner regions of the storage platform associated with
the first long side.
3. The storage platform as claimed in claim 2, wherein the other
two insertion end portions are disposed in the opposite corner
regions.
4. The storage platform as claimed in claim 2, wherein the other
two insertion end portions are disposed in positions between the
long sides.
5. The storage platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting
means are offset and have a supporting arm and an insertion arm
forming the insertion end portion.
6. The storage platform as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
supporting arms are fastened to a side wall.
7. The storage platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
insertion end portions have at least one recess for hanging in
frame struts in a positive fit.
8. The storage platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the narrow
sides are each provided with a protrusion between the mounting
means, within each of which an overflow is disposed.
9. The storage platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein rollers are
attached to an underside.
10. The storage platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage
platform is pan-like in form and has an overflow for defining a
desired level of liquid.
11. The storage platform as claimed in claim 10, the storage
platform is provided with peripheral side walls.
12. The storage platform as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
overflow is infinitely or gradually height-adjustable in order to
set a desired level of liquid.
13. The storage platform as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
overflow has visual marks and/or mechanical retaining means in
predetermined positions.
14. The storage platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
overflow has at least one drainage opening pointing to the
side.
15. The storage platform as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
overflow is rotatably mounted in an opening.
16. A watering device comprising: at least two storage platforms
arranged one on top of the other for storing, watering and
transporting plants, the platforms being rectangular in shape and
having two mounting means on each of two parallel narrow sides,
with four vertical frame struts disposed on narrow sides of the
storage platforms and provided with support recesses for hanging
the mounting means in, each mounting means having an insertion end
portion running along the respective narrow side and ending freely
in the direction of a first long side.
17. The watering device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the frame
struts are L, U or C-shaped, rectangular profiles.
18. The watering device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the frame
struts are releasably mounted on a base platform, which corresponds
in shape and size to the storage platforms.
19. The watering device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the base
platform has rollers, a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall.
20. The watering device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the base
platform has support means for the frame struts, which are provided
with cut-outs.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to DE 202005005087.3 filed
Mar. 31, 2005.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to a storage platform for storing,
watering and transporting plants, which is rectangular and has two
mounting means on each of two parallel narrow sides for hanging
them in frame struts; it also relates to a watering device formed
with the storage platform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The mounting means in known, plate-like storage platforms of
this kind, with which the storage platform is hung in the mounting
openings or slots of, for example, frame struts of a mounting frame
which is U-shaped in cross-section, may extend in the longitudinal
direction of the storage platform, so that the storage platform is
inserted, or hung in, in its longitudinal direction. In other
words, a storage platform is hung in four vertical frame struts
disposed at corners of a rectangle, by first of all inserting two
mounting means, which are disposed at a common front or narrow side
of the storage platform, in desired support recesses in two
corresponding frame struts; in the process, because of the fixed
mutual spacing between the four frame struts, the storage platform
has to be tilted about a transverse axis running perpendicular to
the long sides of the storage platform in order to be able to move
it between the frame struts. After the two above-mentioned mounting
means have been pushed completely, or as far as possible, into
their support recesses, the storage platform can be placed in a
horizontal position, so that the remaining, opposite mounting means
associated with the other narrow side of the storage platform come
into alignment with corresponding support recesses in the other two
frame struts and can be inserted into them by displacing the
storage platform substantially horizontally. In most cases,
engagement recesses are provided, so that, whenever all four
mounting means are pushed to approximately the same depth into the
corresponding support recesses, they co-operate with the support
recesses in a positive fit by means of the engagement recesses,
thus ensuring a firm, immovable support.
[0004] In addition, storage platforms are known in which the
mounting means with which they are hung in the mounting openings or
slots of, for example, frame struts of a mounting frame that are
U-shaped in cross-section extend in the transverse direction of the
storage platform, so that the process of inserting them or hanging
them in takes place in the transverse direction of the storage
platform. A storage platform of this kind is hung in four vertical
frame struts disposed at corners of a rectangle by first of all
inserting two mounting means, which are disposed at a common long
side of the storage platform, in desired support recesses in two
corresponding frame struts. In the process, because of the fixed
mutual spacing between the four frame struts, the storage platform
has to be tilted about a transverse axis running perpendicular to
the narrow sides of the storage platform in order to be able to
move it between the frame struts. After two mounting means have
been pushed into their support recesses, the storage platform can
be placed in a horizontal position, so that the remaining, opposite
mounting means associated with the other long side of the storage
platform come into alignment with corresponding support recesses in
the other two frame struts and can be inserted into them by
displacing the storage platform substantially horizontally. Here
too, engagement recesses are provided in most cases, so that,
whenever all four mounting means are pushed to approximately the
same depth into the corresponding support recesses, they co-operate
with the support recesses in a positive fit by means of the
engagement recesses, thus ensuring a firm, immovable support.
[0005] These arrangements have proven their worth in practice. An
occasional disadvantage, however, is that hanging the storage
platform in and out is felt to be relatively time-consuming because
of the need to move it to and fro.
[0006] The object of the invention consists in providing a storage
platform in which the frame struts can be inserted and removed more
quickly and more simply.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by
a storage platform for storing and watering plants, which is
rectangular and has two mounting means on each of two parallel
narrow sides for hanging them in frame struts, the storage platform
being characterised in that each mounting means has an insertion
end portion running along the respective narrow side and ending
freely in the direction of a first long side.
[0008] This makes it possible to insert or remove the storage
platform in the transverse direction in the course of a single
movement in only one direction, so that the disadvantages described
above are avoided. In the context of the present invention, the
expression "inserting in the transverse direction" means that, when
the insertion end portions of the mounting means are inserted into
or removed from support means of the frame struts co-operating
therewith, e.g. support recesses, the rectangular storage platform
merely has to be moved to or fro in its transverse direction in
order to engage or disengage the mounting means, but not in its
longitudinal direction. Moreover, no combination or succession of
to and fro movements is needed, but only a movement in a single
direction.
[0009] The invention proposes that either two or all four insertion
end portions of the mounting means are each disposed in one corner
region of the storage platform. In a first variant, this means that
two insertion end portions adjacent to the first long side are
disposed in corner regions of the storage platform associated with
the first long side, while the other two insertion end portions are
disposed in the opposite corner regions. In a second variant, two
insertion end portions adjacent to the first long side are disposed
in corner regions of the storage platform associated with the first
long side, while the other two insertion end portions are disposed
in positions between the long sides, i.e. staggered relative to the
corner position in a direction towards the middle of the respective
narrow side.
[0010] The mounting means may be offset, such as by being formed in
an L-shape and may have a supporting arm and an insertion arm
forming the insertion end portion.
[0011] The supporting arms can be fastened to a side wall, and the
insertion end portions can have at least one recess, especially two
opposed recesses, for hanging in frame struts in a positive
fit.
[0012] The narrow sides between the mounting means are preferably
each provided with a protrusion, within each of which an overflow
can be disposed.
[0013] The invention further proposes that the storage platform
should preferably be pan-like in form and should have an overflow
for defining a desired level of liquid. For this purpose, the
storage platform can be provided with side walls. In order to set a
desired level of liquid, the overflow can be infinitely or
gradually height-adjustable. In addition, the overflow may have a
tubular drainage member mounted in a fixed or height-adjustable
manner in an opening in the storage platform. The overflow or the
drainage member may be gradually or infinitely height-adjustable.
The drainage member or the overflow can have visual marks and/or
mechanical retaining means in predetermined positions and can be
provided with at least one drainage opening pointing to the side.
Furthermore, the overflow or the drainage member can be rotatably
mounted in the opening, optionally with a limit on the angle of
rotation. In this way, the jet of water draining out in a watering
device can be directed precisely onto a storage platform located
below.
[0014] In order to form the overflow, a height-adjustable slide
member can be associated with an opening in a side wall of the
storage platform.
[0015] With regard to the watering device, the object of the
invention is achieved by a watering device with at least two
storage platforms arranged one on top of the other for storing and
watering plants, the storage platforms being rectangular and having
two mounting means on each of two parallel narrow sides for hanging
them in support recesses of frame struts, with four vertical frame
struts disposed in corner regions of the storage platforms and
provided with support recesses for hanging the mounting means in,
each mounting means having an insertion end portion running along
the respective narrow side and ending freely in the direction of a
first long side. This ensures that the storage platforms can be
inserted and removed in the transverse direction and without moving
them to and fro.
[0016] The storage platforms may be arranged in such a way that any
liquid draining away via the overflow of a/each storage platform
can flow into a storage platform below, especially one arranged
immediately adjacent to it
[0017] The frame struts are preferably L, U or C-shaped,
rectangular or tubular profiles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Further benefits and features of the invention will become
apparent from the following description of working embodiments,
reference being made to a drawing, in which
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of a storage
platform in accordance with the invention,
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the storage platform
according to FIG. 1,
[0021] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged portion of the storage platform
according to FIGS. 1 and 2,
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a section view of an overflow of the storage
platform according to FIGS. 1-3,
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a base platform according
to a first embodiment,
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the base platform according to
FIG. 5,
[0025] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of several base platforms
according to FIGS. 5 and 6 stacked one on top of the other, seen in
direction VII in FIG. 6,
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a side view corresponding to FIG. 7,
[0027] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
watering device in accordance with the invention,
[0028] FIG. 10 shows the watering device according to FIG. 9 from a
different angle,
[0029] FIG. 11 shows the watering device according to FIGS. 9 and
10 in a front view,
[0030] FIG. 12 shows a top view of a storage platform according to
a second embodiment,
[0031] FIG. 13 shows a top view of a base platform according to a
second embodiment,
[0032] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
watering device in accordance with the invention,
[0033] FIG. 15 shows the watering device according to FIG. 14 from
a different angle,
[0034] FIG. 16 shows a schematic view of a frame strut,
[0035] FIG. 17 shows a corner region of a storage platform hung in
the other way round, and
[0036] FIG. 18 shows storage platforms stacked the other way
round.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] In known, rectangular, flat storage platforms, mounting
means are designed in the form of insertion end portions such as
hooks, pins or the like projecting on narrow sides in the
longitudinal or transverse direction. A storage platform of this
kind is intended for hanging or inserting in a rack which has four
vertical frame struts arranged at the corners of a rectangle. The
mutual free spaces between the frame struts and the mass of the
storage platform are matched in such a way that the storage
platform can be inserted into the rack or frame struts in the
longitudinal direction in the manner described below. In the
process, two hooks are first of all inserted with their free end
portions (hereinafter also referred to as insertion end portions),
which are located on a common long or narrow side of a storage
platform, into corresponding support recesses in two frame struts
disposed on a long or narrow side of said rectangle, and are pushed
into them as far as possible by moving the storage platform in its
transverse or longitudinal direction. During this process, the
storage platform must be tilted at a slanted angle in order to
create a manoeuvring space between the hooks and the frame struts
opposite the hooks to be inserted, or which have already been
inserted. Proceeding from this slanted position, the storage
platform can now, once two hooks have been inserted, be placed in a
substantially horizontal position, so that the hooks on the
opposite side of the storage platform come into alignment with
corresponding support recesses in the opposite frame struts of the
rack and can be inserted into them by moving the storage platform
in the opposite direction. In the process, the hooks, which have
previously been inserted and pushed in completely, are partially
moved back out again until, finally, all four insertion end
portions are located at approximately the same depth in the four
support recesses in the frame struts. In this position, recesses in
the insertion end portions can co-operate with the edges of the
recesses in the frame struts to create a positive fit, so that the
storage platform is immobilised in the desired position.
[0038] In the embodiment of the storage platform in accordance with
the invention, the need to move the storage platform to and fro no
longer exists, because the design of the mounting means makes
insertion possible in the transverse direction with a single
movement.
[0039] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the structure of a first embodiment
of a storage platform in accordance with the invention 101, which
is pan-like in form, with side walls, and has a height-adjustable
overflow in order to define a desired level of liquid within the
pan-like storage platform. The advantage of this is that the water
which is not immediately taken up by the plants does not flow away
at once, but the water level is retained by the side walls and
controlled by the overflow and, when a number of storage platforms
are arranged one on top of the other, the water can flow from one
storage platform into the one immediately below it. The number and
arrangement of overflows in each individual storage platform
depends on considerations of what is appropriate.
[0040] The storage platform 101 is generally rectangular with a
floor 103, side walls 105, long sides 106b, 106c and narrow sides
106a, corners 120 and two openings 107, in which are located
overflows 109 which are not shown here (but which are explained
further below in connection with FIG. 4). In the area of each of
the narrow sides 106a, a protrusion 124 is provided, within which
the opening 107 is located. The protrusion 124 is arcuate in the
embodiment illustrated, though it could also be some other shape,
such as rectangular, triangular or something else. The purpose of
the protrusion 124 is to enable the opening 107, or the overflow
109, to be disposed outside a rectangular storage surface with
dimensions L.times.B, which is defined by the long sides 106b, c
and by straight portions 106d of the narrow sides 106a or, in other
words, by the corners 120 of the storage platform 101 (length L,
breadth B of the inner useful area or floor space of the storage
platform).
[0041] Arranging the overflow 109 within the above-mentioned
rectangular storage surface of the storage platform would be
disadvantageous. This is because plant vessels are usually placed
on the storage platform in shared rectangular boxes, each holding
six individual plant vessels, for example, the length of a shared
box corresponding to the breadth B of the storage platform and the
breadth of the latter corresponding to an integral fraction of its
length L. An arrangement of this kind is only possible within the
rectangular storage surface described, because there would
otherwise only be room for one box fewer. On the other hand, the
length L of the storage surface is determined by the fact that the
dimensions and spacings between frame struts in a watering device
according to FIGS. 9 to 11 are laid down in practice by the large
number of watering devices already in existence. In this context,
the dimensions L, B of the storage platform, within which there
should be no overflow, are also laid down indirectly.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an overflow or drainage member
109, which is inserted in the opening 107 of the floor 103.
[0043] The overflow 109 consists of a cylindrical base body 110,
which is open in one direction (top) and is closed off at a bottom
end by a circular bottom wall 111. A drainage opening 112 allows
water which flows into the cylindrical base body 110 from above
over a rim 116 to drain away. By turning the overflow 109 about its
longitudinal axis 113, it is possible to determine the direction of
the drainage opening 112 and thus the direction in which the water
draining away flows. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the
jet of water draining away lands on a storage platform below. It
can also be provided for the angle of rotation to be stopped or
limited. It goes without saying that a plurality of drainage
openings 112 are also possible, which are distributed around the
circumference of the base body 110. In order to create an
inspection opening, it may be possible for the bottom wall to be
partially or completely folded down or it may be provided with an
opening and a plug member.
[0044] As FIG. 4 also shows, the base body 110 is provided on its
outside with a number of engagement members 114 (recesses or
projections), which make it possible to adjust the height at
predetermined intervals, i.e. so that the upper rim 116 of the base
body 110 is a desired height h above the floor 103, thus
determining a maximum water level or height h above the floor.
[0045] Because of the stop 118, even when the overflow 109 is
lowered completely, a residual amount of water is always left in
the storage platform. If it is desired to empty it totally, this
can be done by arranging a notch in the overflow and/or by
providing an indentation in the floor 103 in the region of the
opening 107. In addition, it can be provided that the floor 103
itself is designed to be curved or domed, so that, first of all,
greater stability is achieved and secondly a slope is created, so
that the water always flows down in the direction of the
overflow(s). This ensures that the storage platform can be emptied
completely and is effectively free of water when removed.
[0046] Instead of the engagement members 114, visual marks may also
be provided, which make it easier to set a desired height h. A stop
118 is provided in the region of the upper rim 116, which prevents
the overflow 109 from being pulled completely out of the opening
107, or at least makes it difficult to do so. A shoulder 119
defines a maximum level that can be set (overflow 109 pushed all
the way to the top).
[0047] As FIGS. 1 and 2 and especially FIG. 3 show on an enlarged
scale, mounting means 130 are disposed on the side walls 105 in the
area of the narrow sides 106a of the storage platform 101, near the
corners 120, or near the long sides 106b, 106c; in the embodiment
illustrated, these mounting means are bent or L-shaped, and each
has a supporting arm 132 which is attached, e.g. welded, to a side
wall 105 (in the area 106b or 106a), and also an insertion arm 134
extending from the supporting arm. All the insertion arms 134 end
freely in the direction of a long side 106c (also referred to as
the "first long side") and are arranged perpendicular to the latter
and parallel to the respective narrow side 106a. As is shown in
particular by FIG. 3, each insertion arm 134 has a V-shaped,
semicircular or slot-like recess 136 so that the storage platform
101 can be hung in frame struts of a watering device in a way that
will be explained below. In addition, the insertion arm 134 can be
provided with a second recess 136a, which makes it possible to hang
in the storage platform in an inverted position, as will be
explained.
[0048] Two of the four mounting means 130 must protrude laterally
to a slight extent beyond the long side 106b, namely by a dimension
d corresponding to the thickness of the wall of the supporting arm
132, so that the four frame struts 221 (FIG. 16 and FIGS. 9 to 11)
can be arranged precisely in the corner regions of the storage
platform, so that the outer edges or surfaces of the frame struts
are in one plane with the long sides 106b, c.
[0049] FIGS. 5 to 8 are schematic illustrations of a first
embodiment of a base platform 201 to create a watering device in
accordance with the invention (FIGS. 9 to 11). The base platform
has a subframe, which is not shown separately, with rollers 250
attached to the underside, and which has a support means 260
attached in the area of each corner 220 for a frame strut 221
(which is explained further down and is illustrated in FIG. 16). A
floor 203 and a peripheral side wall 205 form a pan-like receptacle
for plants or the like. In this example, the support means 260 are
rectangular tubes with a square cross-section, which are disposed
in the corner regions, and in this case are fastened to the floor
203 and side walls 205; near the bottom of these rectangular tubes,
stop members 261 are inserted in the form of smaller and shorter
pieces of rectangular tube, the external contour of which
corresponds to the internal contour of the rectangular tubes 260.
On the one hand, this measure creates a stop for a frame strut
pushed into the support means 260 from above, where an external
contour of the frame strut corresponds substantially to the
internal contour of the support means 260 or at least fits into it,
and, on the other hand, the areas of the stop members 261
projecting downwards make it possible for a number of base
platforms 201 to be stacked, as is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. It
goes without saying that the support means 260 could have a
differently shaped cross-section, e.g. to receive frame struts with
a non-square cross-section (rectangular, C, U or L-shaped, round or
some other shape). As an alternative to the construction with a
subframe, the support means 260 may be attached to the side walls
205 and the rollers to the floor 203.
[0050] FIGS. 9 to 11 show different views of a first embodiment of
a watering device in accordance with the invention, with a base
platform 201 according to FIGS. 5 to 8, two storage platforms 101
according to FIGS. 1 to 3 and four frame struts 221 inserted into
the support means 260 of the bottom storage platform 201.
[0051] The frame struts 221 are designed in this case as U-shaped
sections, the cross-sectional shape or external contours of which
are square (web and limbs the same length) and which can be
inserted into the support means 260 with little play, the stops 261
laying down a defined insertion depth for the frame struts. Their
clearance 1, seen in the longitudinal direction of the storage
platforms, corresponds to the external length La (FIG. 1) of the
storage platforms.
[0052] As FIGS. 9 and 10 also show, the frame struts 221 are
inserted into the support means 260 in such a way that limb
portions 222 are perpendicular to the long sides 106b, c of the
storage platforms 102, 201, while web portions 223 of the frame
struts 221, which connect the limb portions 222, are arranged
substantially parallel to the long sides 106b, c and pointing in
one and the same direction relative to the limb portions (FIGS. 9,
10 towards the front right). The web portions 223 are each
provided, at a desired height, with insertion slots or recesses 225
running vertically, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the
struts (see also FIG. 16), in which the insertion arms 134 are
hung. In the process, the recesses 136 surround the web portions
223, the width of the recesses 136 corresponding substantially to
the wall thickness of the material of the web portions 223.
[0053] If the insertion end portions of the storage platform are
each provided with two opposing recesses 136, 136a (FIG. 3), the
storage platforms can be hung in with their top side facing
downwards for storage or transport purposes (without plants), so
that no rainwater can collect in them.
[0054] FIG. 12 shows a top view of a storage platform 101'
according to a second embodiment, which is substantially the same
as the storage platform 101. The only difference is the arrangement
of the mounting means 130' illustrated at the bottom of FIG. 12,
which have been shifted towards the middle of the respective narrow
side 106a of the storage platform compared to the embodiment
according to FIGS. 1 to 3. In particular, the insertion arms 134'
of the two mounting means 130', which are attached in a displaced
location, are positioned such that the associated frame struts into
which they are to be hung are likewise displaced compared to the
arrangement according to FIG. 9. The advantage of this embodiment
is that the mounting means 130' do not protrude laterally outwards
by the wall thickness, as is the case in FIG. 1, but are disposed
completely within the external breadth dimensions Ba of the storage
platform, which is laid down by the long sides 106b, c.
[0055] FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of a base platform 201',
which forms a second embodiment of a watering device in accordance
with the invention (FIGS. 14 and 15). The only difference between
the base platforms 201' and 201 is that two of the four support
means 260' (in this case rectangular tubes with a square
cross-section) are not placed exactly in the corner regions, but
are displaced inwards so that the frame struts to be received match
the positions of the mounting means 130', which have been modified
in accordance with FIG. 12, and thus match the storage platform
101'.
[0056] FIGS. 14 and 15 show, by way of explanation, a second
embodiment 117' of the watering device according to the invention,
which is formed by using a base platform 201' in accordance with
the second embodiment and a number of storage platforms 101' in
accordance with the second embodiment.
[0057] In contrast to the method of hanging in a storage platform
known from the state of the art, which was described earlier on,
the method of hanging in a storage platform 101, 101' is that all
four insertion arms 134 are inserted simultaneously into
corresponding support recesses 225, which are at the same height.
In this context, it is apparent that no space is needed between the
front end portions or narrow sides 106a of the storage platform and
the frame struts for movement or manipulation in the longitudinal
direction. Instead, a corresponding manipulation space is needed in
the area between the protrusion 124 and the comers 120 in the
transverse direction, but it is present there anyway.
[0058] In the watering device according to the first embodiment, in
addition to the variant already described, in which the storage
platforms are hung in the frame struts the opposite way round (top
side facing downwards), there is also another way of storing the
storage platforms, which saves more space, in which the storage
platforms are preferably likewise placed the opposite way round
(top side facing downwards), but are not hung in the support
recesses, instead being inserted from the opposite side of the
watering device, so that the insertion end portions of the storage
platforms protrude not into the support recesses, but into regions
of the frame struts which are free of material and--depending on
the cross-sectional shape of the frame struts form a slot running
in the longitudinal direction of the frame strut concerned
(especially with a C or U shape, indicated by 140 in FIG. 16). This
has the advantage that the storage platforms can be stacked close
together, one above the other, directly on top of each other,
without being dependent on the predetermined spaces between the
support recesses. In this way, more storage platforms can be
stacked on a base platform than when they are hung in normally,
and, what is more, it saves time, because the storage platforms are
not hung in, but only have to be placed one on top of the
other.
[0059] FIG. 18 shows a way of stacking the storage platforms 40 in
this way, bracing profiles 145 which are U-shaped in cross-section
being attached to the underside of the floor 103 to increase the
load-bearing capacity of the floor or storage platform, the facing
edges at the ends serving at the same time as a means for centrally
positioning a further storage platform placed on the stack from
above.
[0060] In order to ensure that the bottom storage platform, i.e.
the one resting directly on the base platform 201, is in a centred
position, meaning a position in which the side wall 105 of the
storage platform is resting substantially directly in line with the
side wall 205 of the base platform 201, without there being any
lateral displacement, centring members 146 can be attached to the
side wall 205 of the base platform, as shown in FIG. 19. In the
case illustrated, two plate-like centring members 146 (FIG. 19
shows only one of them) are welded to each of the protrusions 124,
which in this case are trapezoid, a part of each centring member
146 projecting upwards over the side wall and thus forming a means
for centrally positioning a storage platform placed on it. The
upwardly projecting part of the centring member is bent slightly
outwards in order to facilitate placing a storage platform on
it.
[0061] If the frame struts are also provided, in their end regions,
with one or two spaced apart strut(s) 170, as is shown in FIG. 16,
it is possible to hang in one or two topmost storage platforms the
opposite way round, provided their insertion end portions each have
two recesses 136, 136a (FIG. 3), thus providing the watering device
with improved stability in the area of the upper ends of the frame
struts and preventing the frame struts from moving apart in an
unwanted manner. FIG. 17 shows a storage platform 101 hung in such
struts 170 in the position when in use.
[0062] In order to ensure that whenever a number of storage
platforms are stacked immediately one on top of the other, the
insertion end portions of the bottom storage platform resting
directly on the base platform do not have to bear the entire weight
of the storage platforms, it is advantageous for cut-outs 262 to be
integrated into the support means or rectangular tubes of the base
platform, into which the insertion end portions of a bottom-most
storage platform can project without bearing a load. The cut-outs
262 amount, as it were, to extensions of the slot portions of the
frame struts and, measuring from the upper ends of the support
means 260, have a length t, FIG. 8, which is dimensioned such that
the insertion end portions of the bottom storage platform placed
upside down on the base platform are not resting on the support
means. The expression "placed upside down" refers here to an
orientation rotated 180.degree. about its central longitudinal axis
relative to its normal position when in use to hold plants and
water; "upside down" means that its upper side is facing downwards
and the insertion end portions are facing in a direction opposite
to the one when in use.
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